Blackjack/Baccarat variants with alternate count game component

ABSTRACT

A casino card game utilizes standard playing cards to define a player hand. A first game component is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to either a modulo 10 count system or a conventional count system, while a second game component is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to the other of a modulo 10 count system or a conventional count system. In one operating mode, the first game component is Blackjack, and a wager on the second game component is resolved on the player initial two-card hand based on a modulo 10 count system consistent with the principles of Baccarat.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to card games and, more particularly, to Blackjack and Baccarat variant casino card games.

With the expansion of gaming and the increase in competition, casinos are striving to offer a wider variety of games. The growth in slot machine popularity and the increase in variety of specialty games has resulted in the overall reduction in conventional Blackjack (“21”) tables.

Many casinos, however, are reluctant to further reduce the number of Blackjack tables because of the inherent game attractiveness to both players and casinos. The game is based on simple concepts and procedures that are readily understood by casual and regular players alike. In addition, the game allows players to use basic strategies that provide some degree of player control and that allow for heightened excitement. For the casino operators, the game requires relatively low overhead to facilitate and monitor.

In an attempt to accommodate the desire for variety and the retention of a significant Blackjack presence, several Blackjack variant games have been introduced. These games include Multiple Action Blackjack, Spanish 21, Face-Up 21, Royal Match, and 21+3. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,719 to Webb and U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,917 to Vancura. Although Blackjack variants typically provide additional waging options, except for 21+3, these games tend to either negatively alter the flow of the Blackjack game or add very little game dynamics.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Successful Blackjack variants such as 21+3 add excitement to conventional Blackjack by providing players with an opportunity for a high payout without disrupting the conventional rules with which the players are familiar. The 21+3 game combines the play of Blackjack with a 3-card poker wager. The concepts and playing modes described herein combine the play of a game utilizing a ‘modulo 10’ count system, such as according to the principles of Baccarat, with a game utilizing a conventional count system, such as Blackjack.

In a casino environment, the methodology herein can be played in conjunction with a conventional Blackjack casino-table and one or more standard decks of 52 playing cards. In a preferred operating mode, the table surface not only has the regular Blackjack bet area, but also an extra bet area for the side wager, which may be optional or compulsory. In such an embodiment, the table also displays a payoff scale on the side wager and instructional and promotional information.

In order to participate in the game, each player places a wager for a first game component, which may be an underlying game, such as Blackjack, and a wager for a second game component, which may be a side game. A dealer deals each player at least two cards forming a player hand. The side wager can then be resolved based on a numerical hand result determined according to the modulo 10 count system. After settling the side wagers, the underlying game, which is preferably Blackjack or another game utilizing a conventional count system, continues. Subsequently, the wagers for the underlying game are resolved.

Unlike many payoff bets such as “Lucky Ladies” requiring a total of 20, the spread of cards used to form winning hands includes all cards. The game is therefore less vulnerable to player skill techniques, and therefore can be offered with a lower house advantage and a higher minimum wager than would otherwise be the case.

The game may also be played as a Baccarat variant with Baccarat as the first game component and with a second game component based on the principles of Blackjack. In this embodiment, the first game component is played first according to the conventional rules of Baccarat, and wagers on the second game component are resolved based on Blackjack principles, e.g., Tens and face cards count as 10, Aces count as 1 or 11.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of playing a card game includes the steps of (a) dealing two cards to a player, at least the two cards defining a player hand; (b) resolving a side game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system; (c) continuing with a primary game; and (d) resolving the primary game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a conventional count system. The numerical hand result in step (b) is preferably determined according to principles of Baccarat. In this context, prior to step (a), the method may additionally include the step of receiving a side wager from the player, wherein step (b) is practiced by paying a payout if the numerical hand result exceeds a predetermined number such as seven.

Step (b) may be practiced by paying a payout if the numerical hand result is a natural eight or a natural nine. In this regard, step (b) may be further practiced by paying an increased payout when the at least two cards of the player hand are of a same suit. For example, step (b) may be practiced by paying 3 to 1 on the side wager if the numerical hand result is an unsuited natural and by paying 5 to 1 on the side wager if the numerical hand result is a suited natural. In another playing mode, step (b) may be further practiced by paying an increased payout when at least one of the at least two cards is an Ace and when none of the at least two cards is a Ten, Jack, Queen or King. For example, step (b) may be practiced by paying 4 to 1 on the side wager if at least one of the at least two cards is an Ace and by paying 6 to 1 on the side wager when none of the at least two cards is a Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace.

In a preferred playing mode, the primary game is Blackjack.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of playing a card game comprises dealing cards to a player and optionally dealing at least one non-player card, defining a player two-card hand using the player cards and the at least one non-player card if dealt, resolving a side game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system, and resolving a primary game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a conventional count system.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of playing a casino Blackjack card game including a side wager that is resolved according to principles of Baccarat includes the steps of (a) receiving a first wager from a player to participate in the Blackjack game against a dealer; (b) receiving a second wager, which may be optional or compulsory, from the player to participate in a side game; (c) dealing two cards to the player, the two cards defining a player hand having a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system consistent with the principles of Baccarat; (d) resolving the second wager based on the numerical hand result; (e) continuing with the Blackjack game; and (f) resolving the first wager according to a result of the Blackjack game.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a casino card game includes at least one standard deck of playing cards, a first wager area for receiving a first wager from a player on a first game component, and a second wager area for receiving a second wager from the player on a second game component. A player card area is provided for receiving two cards from the standard deck of playing cards, the two cards defining a player hand. The game also includes rules of play that determine resolutions for the first wager and the second wager, where one of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a modulo 10 count system, and the other of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a conventional count system.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a card game using at least one standard deck of cards includes the steps of (a) receiving a first wager from a player on a first game component; (b) receiving a second wager from the player on a second game component; (c) dealing at least two cards to a player area defining a player hand; and (d) resolving the first wager and the second wager, wherein one of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a modulo 10 count system, and the other of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a conventional count system. In one operating mode, the second game component is Baccarat. Step (d) may be practiced by resolving the second wager from the player on the second game component according to the principles of Baccarat and by resolving the first wager from the player on the first game component according to the principles of Blackjack.

The method may further comprise, prior to step (d), dealing at least two cards to a dealer area defining a dealer hand, wherein step (d) is practiced by resolving the first wager according to a comparison of the numerical hand result of the player hand with a numerical hand result of the dealer hand. In this context, if the numerical hand result of both the player hand and the dealer hand is less than or equal to 21, the highest hand between the player hand and the dealer is declared as a winning hand, if the numerical hand result of both the player hand and the dealer hand is greater than 21, one of (1) the lowest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand is declared as the winning hand or (2) the highest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand is declared as a winning hand, and if the numerical hand result of one of the player hand and the dealer hand is less than or equal to 21 and the numerical hand result of the other of the player hand and the dealer hand is greater than 21, the lowest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand is declared as a winning hand.

Step (a) may be practiced by receiving the first wager from the player on the first game component for either the player hand or the dealer hand at the player's option. In this context, winning wagers for the player hand are paid 1 to 1, and winning wagers for the dealer hand are paid 1 to 1 less a 5% commission. Step (a) may be practiced by receiving the first wager from the player on the first game component for a tie between the player hand and the dealer hand or a tie on a specific numerical hand result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface (layout) of a casino-type table suitable for playing the card game described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface (layout) 10 suitable for the card game described herein. The playing surface 10 generally resembles a conventional Blackjack table and includes a primary betting and player card area 12 for each of a plurality of players. Although five player stations are shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred operating mode, the table layout 10 includes playing areas for seven players.

The primary betting and player card area 12 is used for the placement of a Blackjack wager or other first game component as well as for placement of the player cards. Of course, separate areas may alternatively be provided. The surface 10 also includes a secondary betting area 14, corresponding with each area 12 for a second game component, a dealer area 16 for dealer cards, and a display area 18 for game rules, promotional markings, and the like.

In one operating mode, in order to participate in the game, a player places a first wager at area 12 to participate in the Blackjack game against a dealer. The player may also place a second wager at area 14 to participate in the additional game component. In the preferred operating mode, all wagers are optional, although one or more of the wagers may be compulsory in other operating modes. Additional wagers and wager features can be practiced in the playing modes described herein. Since in the preferred embodiment, all wagers are optional, the use of the terms ‘underlying game’ and ‘side game’ may be interchanged with terms as ‘first game component’ and ‘second game component,’ since a side game played without an underlying game would not be considered a “side game.”

After the player wagers are placed, the dealer deals two cards to the player, which two cards define a player hand, which is consistent with conventional Blackjack. In order to resolve the second wager for the side game, a numerical hand result is determined of the player hand according to a modulo 10 count system, consistent with the principles of Baccarat. That is, in conventional Baccarat, cards having a value of ten (Ten, Jack, Queen and King) count as 0, and card totals exceeding ten are reduced by ten to determine the numerical hand result (e.g., if a player is dealt two cards being a 9 and an 8, the numerical hand result is 7). According to the principles of Baccarat, the best hand is a numerical hand result of 9, and two-card totals of 8 or 9 are called “naturals.”

In a preferred operating mode, the second wager for the side game is resolved by paying a payout if the numerical hand result of the two cards defining the player hand exceeds a predetermined number, such as 7. That is, if the numerical hand result according to the principles of Baccarat results in a natural 8 or 9, a payout is paid on the side wager. Thus, for this operating mode, winning hands for the side wager include:

Hard 18 99 T8 J8 Q8 K8 Hard 19 T9 J9 Q9 K9 Soft 18 A7 Soft 19 A8 8 26 35 44 9 27 36 45

Payouts for the side wager may vary according to casino requirements, the number of decks in play, and other factors. Examples of other factors may include whether the two cards of the player hand are of the same suit (i.e., Spade, Club, Diamond, Heart). In this context, an exemplary payout may be 3 to 1 for an unsuited winning hand and 5 to 1 for a suited winning hand. Alternatively, with reference to the Table above, payouts may be increased for winning hands including an Ace or winning hands without a Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace. In this context, an exemplary payout may be 3 to 1 for a winning hand including a Ten, Jack, Queen or King, 4 to 1 for a winning hand including an Ace, and 6 to 1 for all other combinations.

The allowable limit of the side wager in area 14 is governed by the predetermined game rules. The side wager may be limited to a predetermined multiple of the Blackjack wager, which multiple may be 1.

After settling the side wagers, the dealer proceeds with a Blackjack game. In the preferred operating mode, the Blackjack game is conventional; however, other variant Blackjack games can be practiced with the invention. The Blackjack wagers are settled in accordance with well-known principles and the particular aspects of the Blackjack (or Blackjack variant) game.

In other operating modes, the underlying game may be a game other than Blackjack, although it is preferable that the underlying game utilize numerical hand results determined according to a conventional count system. As such, the game incorporates a side game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system and a primary game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a conventional count system. The count systems may also be reversed such that the side game is resolved according to the conventional count system while the primary game is resolved according to a modulo 10 count system. Still further, the player hand may be defined using only one card dealt to the player in combination with at least one non-player card, such as a community card or a dealer card.

The playing modes described herein advantageously retain all of the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provide an exciting side game without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The side game provides an opportunity for players to achieve a high payout in concert with those available in the underlying game. The game thus benefits the player desiring some variety without leaving a conventional Blackjack game. In addition, the games provide casino operators with additional revenue generating features for Blackjack with acceptable volatility. Another feature is that casino embodiments do not require additional space or tables to practice the game methods herein, rather the games can be played with existing tables, preferably modified as illustrated in FIG. 1. Still another feature is that the games do not require additional surveillance than a conventional Blackjack game.

In another alternative playing mode, the game may also be played as a Baccarat variant with Baccarat as the underlying game and with a side game based on the principles of Blackjack. In this embodiment, the underlying game is played first according to the conventional rules of Baccarat, and side wagers are resolved based on Blackjack principles, e.g., Tens and face cards count as 10, Aces count as 1 or 11. To participate in the game, players may place a first wager at area 12 to participate in the Baccarat game, and the player may also place a second wager at area 14 to participate in the side game. As in previously described embodiments, all wagers are preferably optional. The first wager on the underlying Baccarat game may be placed as a “Player” bet or a “Banker” bet in favor of the “Player” hand or the “Banker” hand, respectively (the designations used do not necessarily represent the dealer or the actual players).

Baccarat is typically played with eight decks of cards. Each numbered card less than ten is worth its face value, Aces are worth 1, and Tens and face cards are worth 0. The suit does not matter. After all bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards each to the player and the banker. Scoring is based on a modulo 10 count system, where card totals exceeding ten are reduced by ten to determine the numerical hand result (e.g., if a player is dealt two cards being a 9 and an 8, the numerical hand result is 7). According to the principles of Baccarat, the best hand is a numerical hand result of 9, and two-card totals of 8 or 9 are called “naturals.” The scores will always range from 0 to 9 and it is impossible to bust. A third card may or may not be dealt to either the player or the dealer depending on the following rules.

If either the player or the banker has a total of an 8 or a 9 they both stand. This rule overrides all other rules. If the player's total is 5 or less, then the player hits, otherwise the player stands. If the player stands, then the banker hits on a total of 5 or less. If the player does hit then the chart below is used to determine if the banker hits (H) or stands (S).

Banker's Player's Third Card Score 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 S S S S S S S S S S 6 S S S S S S H H S S 5 S S S S H H H H S S 4 S S H H H H H H S S 3 H H H H H H H H S H 2 H H H H H H H H H H 1 H H H H H H H H H H 0 H H H H H H H H H H

The score of the player hand and dealer hand are compared, and the winner is the one that is greater (i.e., closest to 9). Winning bets on the banker pay even money less a 5% commission, and winning bets on the player pay 1 to 1. Baccarat also includes a wager option for a tie, with higher payouts such as 8 to 1.

In one operating mode, in contrast with conventional Baccarat, the dealer may deal a player hand to each player area 12, with the player option still to wager on either the player hand, the banker hand or a tie.

After resolving the Baccarat wagers, the side game wagers are determined with the numerical hand results using a conventional count system consistent with the principles of Blackjack as described above. If both the player hand and the dealer hand have a numerical hand result of 21 or lower, the highest hand is the winner; if one hand is 21 or lower and the other hand is greater than 21, the lowest hand is the winner; if both hands exceed 21, the lowest hand is the winner (or, alternatively, the highest hand is the winner), and pushes are tied. A winning player hand side wager preferably pays 1 to 1, and a winning dealer banker hand side wager pays 1 to 1 less a 5% commission. An additional or alternative side wager may be a wager that the hand will tie, with winning tie wagers up to 15 to 1 for a composite payout or higher variable payouts for wagers on a tie with a particular numerical result.

As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, the game can be embodied in a wide variety of forms and media including, but not limited to, single player slot video machines, multi-player slot video machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals, scratch-card formats, software as well as in-flight, home, and Internet entertainment. In addition, the game can be readily implemented as a computer program product (e.g., floppy disk, compact disc (CD), etc.) comprising a computer readable medium having control logic recorded therein to implement the features herein as described in relation to the other preferred embodiments. The control logic can be loaded into the memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit (CPU) to perform the operations described herein.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method of playing a card game using at least one standard deck of cards, the method comprising: (a) dealing two cards to a player, at least the two cards defining a player hand; (b) resolving a side game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system; (c) continuing with a primary game; and (d) resolving the primary game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a conventional count system.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the numerical hand result in step (b) is determined according to principles of Baccarat.
 3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising, prior to step (a), the step of receiving a side wager from the player, wherein step (b) is practiced by paying a payout if the numerical hand result exceeds a predetermined number.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein step (b) is practiced by paying the payout if the numerical hand result exceed a total of seven.
 5. A method according to claim 2, further comprising, prior to step (a), the step of receiving a side wager from the player, wherein step (b) is practiced by paying a payout if the numerical hand result is a natural eight or a natural nine.
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein step (b) is further practiced by paying an increased payout when the at least two cards of the player hand are of a same suit.
 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein step (b) is practiced by paying 3 to 1 on the side wager if the numerical hand result is an unsuited natural and by paying 5 to 1 on the side wager if the numerical hand result is a suited natural.
 8. A method according to claim 5, wherein step (b) is further practiced by paying an increased payout when at least one of the at least two cards is an Ace and when none of the at least two cards is a Ten, Jack, Queen or King.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein step (b) is practiced by paying 4 to 1 on the side wager if at least one of the at least two cards is an Ace and by paying 6 to 1 on the side wager when none of the at least two cards is a Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the primary game is Blackjack.
 11. A method of playing a card game using at least one standard deck of cards, the method comprising dealing cards to a player and optionally dealing at least one non-player card, defining a player two-card hand using the player cards and the at least one non-player card if dealt, resolving a side game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system, and resolving a primary game based on a numerical hand result determined according to a conventional count system.
 12. A method of playing a casino Blackjack card game including a side wager that is resolved according to principles of Baccarat, the method comprising: (a) receiving a first wager from a player to participate in the Blackjack game against a dealer; (b) receiving a second wager from the player to participate in a side game; (c) dealing two cards to the player, the two cards defining a player hand having a numerical hand result determined according to a modulo 10 count system consistent with the principles of Baccarat; (d) resolving the second wager based on the numerical hand result; (e) continuing with the Blackjack game; and (f) resolving the first wager according to a result of the Blackjack game.
 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying a payout if the numerical hand result exceeds a predetermined number.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying the payout if the numerical hand result exceed a total of seven.
 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying a payout if the numerical hand result is a natural eight or a natural nine.
 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein step (d) is further practiced by paying an increased payout when the two cards of the player hand are of a same suit.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying 3 to 1 on the second wager if the numerical hand result is an unsuited natural and by paying 5 to 1 on the second wager if the numerical hand result is a suited natural.
 18. A method according to claim 15, wherein step (d) is further practiced by paying an increased payout when at least one of the two cards is an Ace and when neither of the two cards is a Ten, Jack, Queen or King.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein step (d) is practiced by paying 4 to 1 on the second wager if at least one of the two cards is an Ace and by paying 6 to 1 on the second wager when neither of the two cards is a Ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace.
 20. A method according to claim 12, wherein the second wager is optional.
 21. A method according to claim 12, wherein the second wager is compulsory.
 22. A casino card game comprising: at least one standard deck of playing cards; a first wager area for receiving a first wager from a player on a first game component; a second wager area for receiving a second wager from the player on a second game component; a player card area for receiving two cards from the standard deck of playing cards, the two cards defining a player hand; and rules of play determining resolutions for the first wager and the second wager, wherein one of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a modulo 10 count system, and the other of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a conventional count system.
 23. A method of playing a card game using at least one standard deck of cards, the method comprising: (a) receiving a first wager from a player on a first game component; (b) receiving a second wager from the player on a second game component; (c) dealing at least two cards to a player area defining a player hand; and (d) resolving the first wager and the second wager, wherein one of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a modulo 10 count system, and the other of the first wager and the second wager is resolved based on a numerical hand result of the player hand determined according to a conventional count system.
 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the second game component is Baccarat.
 25. A method according to claim 23, wherein step (d) is practiced by resolving the second wager from the player on the second game component according to the principles of Baccarat and by resolving the first wager from the player on the first game component according to the principles of Blackjack.
 26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising, prior to step (d), dealing at least two cards to a dealer area defining a dealer hand, wherein step (d) is practiced by resolving the first wager according to a comparison of the numerical hand result of the player hand with a numerical hand result of the dealer hand.
 27. A method according to claim 26, wherein: if the numerical hand result of both the player hand and the dealer hand is less than or equal to 21, declaring the highest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand as a winning hand, if the numerical hand result of both the player hand and the dealer hand is greater than 21, declaring one of (1) the lowest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand as the winning hand or (2) the highest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand as a winning hand, and if the numerical hand result of one of the player hand and the dealer hand is less than or equal to 21 and the numerical hand result of the other of the player hand and the dealer hand is greater than 21, declaring the lowest hand between the player hand and the dealer hand as a winning hand.
 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein step (a) is practiced by receiving the first wager from the player on the first game component for either the player hand or the dealer hand at the player's option.
 29. A method according to claim 28, wherein winning wagers for the player hand are paid 1 to 1, and wherein winning wagers for the dealer hand are paid 1 to 1 less a 5% commission.
 30. A method according to claim 26, wherein step (a) is practiced by receiving the first wager from the player on the first game component for a tie between the player hand and the dealer hand.
 31. A method according to claim 26, wherein step (a) is practiced by receiving the first wager from the player on the first game component for a tie of a specific numerical hand result between the player hand and the dealer hand. 